Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and...

Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx

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Original article

Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districtsHaripur and Abbottabad, Pakistan

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.0091319-562X/� 2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Abbreviations: ISA, Indicator Species Analysis; CCA, Canonical CorrespondenceAnalysis; DBH, diameter at breast height; CA, Cluster Analysis; TWCA, Two WayCluster Analysis; IVI, Importance Value Index; T, transect; S, station.

Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.

Production and hosting by Elsevier

⇑ Corresponding authors.E-mail addresses: [email protected] (S.M. Khan), [email protected]

(E.F. Abd_Allah).

Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabaistan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009

Saira Bano a, Shujaul Mulk Khan b,⇑, Jan Alam a, Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi c, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah c,⇑,Zeeshan Ahmad b, Inayat Ur Rahman a, Habib Ahmad d, Abdullah Aldubise c, Abeer Hashem e

aDepartment of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra, PakistanbDepartment of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, PakistancDepartment of Plant Production, Collage of Food & Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabiad Islamia College University Peshawar, PakistaneBotany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2460 Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

a r t i c l e i n f o

Article history:Received 23 July 2016Revised 28 January 2017Accepted 25 February 2017Available online xxxx

Keywords:Floristic studyCanonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA)PC-ORDEdaphic factorPlant communities

a b s t r a c t

The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role ofedaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbswere 10 � 5, 5 � 2, 1 � 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measuredat each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae andLamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster andTwo Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m fromsea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community.CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variableson species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical CorrespondenceAnalysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation andaspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO3 contents, electric con-ductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities ofthe Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.� 2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access

article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction

The plant communities are a complex quantitative hierarchy inthe vegetation science that always depends on species richness,distribution and associated ecological factors (Gaston, 2000;Maurer, 1999). These have previously been described floristically

as well as physiognomically in number of ways. They have ademarcated structure in an area in relation to biotic and a bioticvariation (Kent and Coker, 1992; Van Rooyen et al., 1981;Roberts and Wuest, 1999; Tainton et al., 1996; Cleaver et al.,2005; Brown and Bezuidenhout, 2005). Vegetation structure isusually influenced by environmental gradient and anthropogenicactivates. In addition the edaphic and topographic factors also playa vital role in communities formation that ultimately leads tospecific phytogeographic regions (Rohde, 1992). Ecologicalresearches always tend to understand and quantify the relation-ship between biotic and a biotic components of an ecosystem(Tavili and Jafari, 2009). Various floristic analyses are used to iden-tify the plant communities habitat types and important character-istic plant species (Katsuno, 1977; Fujiwara, 1987). In each sort ofhabitat each plant species has a microclimate and play its role inhabitat formation (Duigan and Bredenkamp, 2003) and relationsamong populations (Scheiner, 1993). It is essential to measureand develop a suitable model to capture the natural features of

d, Pak-

2 S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx

an ecosystem for its sustainable use. Floristic analyses are the pre-requisites for conservation of plant species. Therefore, current pro-ject was conducted to comprehend the role of such factor in theestablishment of plant communities and its application in futureconservation studies.

The Beer Hills along the Indus River have not been studied usingrecently developed analytical methods for vegetation characteriza-tion. The current study was therefore conducted to find out thefloristic composition and vegetation structure of plant communi-ties in the targeted region using modern tools. For this purposeplant species composition, abundance and the environmental vari-ability, with special reference to gradient analyses were taken intoconsideration during 2012–2013.

2. Materials and methods

The Beer Hills are located at the bank of Indus River in two dis-tricts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan i.e., DistrictAbbottabad and District Haripur at 34�100 North latitude and72�580 East longitude with elevation 529–700 m at sea level. Thetemperature and precipitation equally distributed throughout theyear with humid subtropical sort of climate. A total of seven tran-sects were established at 3 km distance and within each transectfive stations were recognized at 200 m interval randomly alongwith elevation gradient. In this a total of 34 stations with threehundred and six (306) quadrats were established using GPS (GlobalPositioning system) (Khan et al., 2013b). Quadrat and transectmethods were used on hill slopes at all stations. Sizes of the quad-rates for trees, shrubs and herbs were 10 � 5 m, 5 � 2 m and1 � 1 m respectively (Salzer and Willoughby, 2004). Data attri-butes i.e., density, relative density, cover, relative cover, frequency,relative frequency and Importance Values Index (IVI) were mea-sured at each station. The diameters of trees were measured atbreast height (DBH) to find out its cover value for trees. The biolog-ical spectrum was determined using Raunkiaer Life form classifica-tion (Raunkiaer, 1934). The plant specimens were collected in eachquadrat, labeled with tags, and pressed with plant presser in thefield. Specimens were poisoned using 3% solution of Mercuric Chlo-ride and Ethyl Alcohol solution and mounted on standard sizeherbarium sheets having a size of (17.500 � 11.500). All specimenswere identified with the help of flora of Pakistan and other avail-able literature (Khan et al., 2013a).

2.1. Soil analyses

The soil samples were collected up to 45 cm depth from eachstation through soil sampling tube. The samples were sieved toremove large particles. The soil physiochemical analyses i.e., SoilTexture, Calcium, Carbonate, Organic Matter concentration, SoilpH, Electrical Conductivity (E.C), Phosphorus and Potassium weremeasured in Agriculture research station Baffa Mansehra. The soiltexture and pH were measured through hydrometer and pH meterrespectively (Khan et al., 2012a,b; Koehler et al., 1984). While, soilorganic matters were determined by standardized solution ofFeSO4 and K2Cr2O7 (Nelson et al., 1996). Whereas CaCO3 concentra-tion were determined by acid neutralization method (Black et al.,1965). AB-DTPA extractable P and K was determined in samplesthrough method described by Soltanpour (1991).

2.2. Data analyses

The data were statistically analyzed to find out the relationshipbetween plant species composition and various ecological vari-ables. For the data analysis we put the data of seven transect (34stations and 306 quadrates) in MS EXCEL and prepared presence

Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beeistan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sj

absence (1, 0) data sheet for CA (Cluster Analysis) and TWCA(Two Way Cluster Analysis). The plant species data were arrangedhorizontally and quadrates data were arranged vertically accordingto the software (PC-ORD version 5 software) requirement (Lepšand Šmilauer, 2003). The species and environmental data matriceswere analyzed in CANOCO software version 4.5 to find the effect ofenvironmental variables on species composition and distributionpattern.

3. Results

A research study was conducted in Beers Hills to find out plantspecies distribution pattern, composition and abundance in rela-tion to environmental variables and edaphic factors.

3.1. Species composition of the Beer Hills

A total of 123 plant species were collected belong to 46 familiesdistributed in 34 stations included 27 trees, 23 shrubs and 73 herbsspecies of all the vegetation. The topmost dominant families wereAsteraceae and Lamiaceae having eight plant species, 13% of allspecies. The Amranathaceae, Moraceae and Poaceae have sevenspecies each. While Malvaceae and Solanaceae with six specieseach respectively.

3.2. Raunkier life form

The plant species were classified through Raunkiaer (1934)classification into 5 various life form classes. The Phanerophyteswas the most dominant class with 52 plant species (42%) followedby Therophytes with 37 species (30%), Hemicryptophytes with 24species (20%), Cryptophytes with 7 species (6%) and Chemaephyteshaving 3 species (2%) respectively (Table 2).

3.3. Abundant and less abundant plant species of the Beer Hills

The abundant and less abundant plant species were found onthe basis of Importance Values Index (IVI). The topmost abundanttree species of the study area wasMallotus philippensis, Acacia nilot-ica, Acacia modista, Ziziphus jujuba, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus carica,Broussonetia papyrifera, Pistacia integerrima, Dalbergia sissoo andMorus nigra with high IVI. While Punica granatum, Ailanthus altis-sima, Citrus aurantium, Pterospermum acerifolium, Eriobatrya japon-ica, Ceiba pentandra, Cassia fistula, Syzygium cumimi, Juglans regia,and Ficus religiosa were recorded as less abundant trees with min-imum IVI in the study area. In shruby layer the most dominant spe-cies were Dodonaea viscosa, Justicia adhatoda, Otostegia limbata,Berberis lyceum, Cotoneaster dammeri, Sageretia brendrethiana, Zizi-phus nummularia, Marrubium supinum, Nerium oleander and Peri-ploca aphylla with IVI above than 800 in the region. The top tenrare shrub species were Lantana camara, Ipomoea carnea, Cleroden-drum philippinum, Parthenocissus semicordata, Rubus fruticosa, Aerajavanica, Ricinus communis, Jasminum nudiforum, Jasminum offici-nale and Calotropis procera having low Importance values in theBeer Hills along with Indus River. In addition to, the Cynodon dacty-lon, Avena barbata, Medicogo denculatus, Parthenium hysterophorus,Cannabis sativa, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia hirta, Nasturtiumofficinale, Malva neglecta, and Melica persica were the most abun-dant species in herbaceous layer of the region. The uppermost rareherbs recorded with minimum IVI were Datura alba, Brassica com-pestris, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Physalis angulate, Phegoteris con-nectilies, Achyranthes aspera, Diclipter roxburghiana, Cypresroutundes, Oxalis corniculata and Cyprus niveus. Most of the rarespecies present in the area were palatable which faces great pres-sure of grazing.

r Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-bs.2017.02.009

Table 1Data summary table of 123 plant species in relations with all he environmental variables.

Axis 1 2 3 4 TI

EV (eigen values) 0.363 0.165 0.105 0.096 2.216SEC (species-environment correlations) 0.962 0.910 0.906 0.915CPVSP (cumulative percentage variance of species data) 16.4 23.8 28.6 32.9SER (species-environment relation) 33.0 47.9 57.5 66.2

SMC test

TSFCA (test of significance of first canonical axis) TSACA (test of significance of all canonical axes)

EV (eigen value) 0.363 (Trace) 1.102FR (F-ratio) 4.121 FR (F-ratio) 1.730PV (P-value) 0.0020 PV (P-value) 0.0020

S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx 3

3.4. Species area curve

Initially PC-ORD version 5 were used to draw species areacurves and compositional area curves to recognize either the quad-rates size was adequate or not through abundance data combinedwith Sorensen distance values (Ahmad et al., 2016a,b). It also com-prehends the vegetation relation with environmental variables. Itresults that the transect number 25 show maximum number ofplant species and appearing new species continuously up to stationnumber 31 (Fig. 1).

3.5. Results of Cluster Analysis

The Cluster Analyses using PCORD version 5 clustered 34 sta-tions (306 quadrats) into 4 plant communities or habitats (Fig. 2).

3.6. Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA)

The TwoWay Cluster analysis showed distribution of plant spe-cies in sampling stations. It was constructed with the help of pres-ence and absence (1, 0) data sheet by Soresen measures. The blackbubbles/dots represented the presence whereas white bubblesindicated the absence of plant species in the region. Four plantcommunities were recognized through grouping of various sta-tions (Fig. 3).

3.7. Classification of plant communities

3.7.1. Ficus beghalensis-Nerium oleander-Euphorbia heterophyllacommunity

The community name was given based on Indicator speciesanalyses (ISA). This community was observed at elevation of432–583 m. Ficus beghalensis, Nerium oleander and Euphorbiaheterophylla were the characteristics species of tree, shrub andherb layer respectively. The other dominant species of tree layerwith high IVI values included Mallotus philippensis, Broussonetiapapyrifera, Ficus carica, Dalbergia sissoo and Mangifera indica. Whilethe rare tree species were Ceiba pentandra, Cassia fistula, Syzgiumcumini, Juglans regia, Ficus religiosa and Olea ferruginea with mini-mum IVI in the region. Whereas shrub layer was dominated by Jus-ticia adhatoda, Otostegia limbata, Nerium oleander, Dodonaea viscosa,Cotoneaster dammeri, Marrubium supinum, with rare species Carissaopaca, Sageretia brendrethiana, Jasminum nudiforum, Ricinas comu-nunis, Jasminum officinale, Calotropis procera. Although the domi-nant herbaceous layer included Cynodon dactylon, Cannabis sativa,Avena barbata, Nasturtium officinale, Parthenium hysterophorus,Euphorbia helioscopia, Mediogo denculatus, Malva neglecta, Euphor-bia heterophylla and Rumex dentatus. Whereas Physalia angulata,Hybisus caesium, Phegopteris connectilis, Achyranthes aspera, Del-phinium bicolar, Dicolipter roxburghiana, Argemome Mexicana, Arte-


misia absinthium and oxalis corymbosa are rare herbs species inthe region with low IVI values.

The characteristic plant species in community i.e., Ficusbeghalensis having important value 78 and p value 0.02, Euphorbiahelerophylla having IVI 71 and with p value 0.03. In addition to thedata attribute plot of Ficus beghalensis that show the grazing pres-sure has no effect on this species because tree layer was notaffected by grazing pressure but greatly affected by high altitudeas a result it was mostly observed in lower altitude of the region.While the electrical conductivity of community soil was measuredbetween 0.16 and 0.25 dsm�1, Calcium carbonate was 2.4–6.2%,Potassium 90–130 ppm and Phosphorus 5.6–8.4 ppm respectively.

3.7.2. Ficus carica - Justicia adhatoda - Parthinium hysterophoruscommunity

This community was found between elevations of 557–640 m.The Ficus carica, Justicia adhatoda, and Parthinium hysterophoruswere the dominant characteristic tree, shrub and herb. The otherdominant species of the tree layer included Acacia nilotica, Acaciamodista, Ziziphus jujuba, Olea ferruginea and Ficus carica. While,the rare tree species were Punica granatum, Broussonetia papyri-afera, Melia azedarach, Morus nigra and Dalbergia sissoo. Regardingthe shruby layer Dodonia viscosa, Justicia adhatoda, Otostegia lim-bata, Sageretia brenrerthiana, Colebrookea opposifolia was the mostdominant and Marrubium supinum, Gymnosporia royleane, Cotonea-ster dammeri, Ricinus communis and Calotropis procera was the rareplant species in the region. The characteristic species of herbaceouslayer was Cynodon dactylon, Solanum surattense, Parthenium hys-terophous, Medicogo denculatus, Avena barbata, Euphorbia hirta,Euphorbia helioscopia, Rumex dentatus, Delphinium bicolor, Amaran-thus viridis and the characteristic rare species of community wasMirabilis jalapa, Convolvulus arvensis, Solanum pseudocapsium,Bidens pilosa, Conyza Canadensis, Ranunculus muricatus, Cichoriumintybus, Achyranthus aspera, Phegopteris connectilis and Physalisangulate with minimum IVI.

Regarding the soil analyses of community electrical conductiv-ity was 0.15–0.25 dsm�1, Calcium carbonate was 5.2–7.2%, Potas-sium was 100–125 ppm and Phosphorus 6.4–7.5 ppm wasrecorded.

3.7.3. Melia azedarach - Dodonaea viscosa – Polygonum aviculacommunity

This community was found at the elevation of 572–645 m. Therecorded Characteristic species of tree layer wasMallotus philippen-sis, Pistacia integerrima, Acacia modista, Ziziphus jujuba and Acacianilotica. While rare trees were Olea ferruginea, Broussonetia papyri-fera, Ficus racemosa, Morus alba andMelia azedarachwith minimumIVI in the region. While, the dominant species of shruby vegetationin community included Dodonaea viscosa, Berberis lyceum, Otostegialimbata, Carissa opaca and Sageretia brendrethiana. In addition to,


Table 2Plant species and Family names with Raunkiaer Life form classes.

NO.SO

Botanical name of Plants Family name Lifeforms

1 Acacia modista (Wall.) Fabaceae Ph2 Acacia nilotica (L.)Del. Fabaceae Ph3 Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle Simaroubaceae Ph4 Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) vent Moraceae Ph5 Cassia fistula L. Fabaceae Ph6 Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaerth. Malvaceae Ph7 Citrus aurantium L. Rutaceae Ph8 Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.ex.DC. Fabaceae Ph9 Eriobatrya japonica (Thunb.) lindl. Rosaceae Ph10 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Myrtaceae Ph11 Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Ph12 Ficus carica L. Moraceae Ph13 Ficus racemosa L. Moraceae Ph14 Ficus religiosa L. Moraceae Ph15 Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Ph16 Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Euphorbiaceae Ph17 Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae Ph18 Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae Ph19 Morus alba L. Moraceae Ph20 Morus nigra L. Moraceae Ph21 Olea ferruginea Royle. Oleaceae Ph22 Papulus ciliata Wall.ex.Royle Salicaceae Ph23 Pistacia integerrima J.L.Stewart ex

BrandisAnacardiaceae Ph

24 Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd. Malvaceae Ph25 Punica granatum L. Lythraceac Ph26 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Ph27 Ziziphus jujuba Milli. Rhamnaceae Ph28 Aerva javanica (Burm.f.)shult Amaranthaceae Ch29 Berberis lycium Royle. Berberidaceae Ph30 Calotropis procera (L.) Asclapiadaceae Ph31 Colebrookea opposifolia Sm Labiatae Ph32 Clerodendrum Philippinum multiplex.

JPGVerbenaceae Ph

33 Carissa opaca L. Apocynaceae Ph34 Cotoneaster dammeri C.K.Schneid. Rosaceae Ph35 Dodonaea viscose (L.) Jacq. Sapindaceae Ph36 Gymnosporia royleana Wall. Celastraceae Ph37 Ipomoea carnea Jace. Convolvulaceae Cr38 Jasminum nudiforum Lindl. Oleaceae Ph39 Jasminum officinale L. Oleaceae Ph40 Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae Ph41 Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Ch42 Marrubium supinum L. Lamiaceae Ph43 Nerium oleander L. Apocynaceae Ph44 Otostegia limbata (Beth.) Boiss Lamiaceae Ph45 Parthenocissus semicordata Wall. Vitaceae Ph46 Periploca aphylla Decne. Asclepiadaceae Ph47 Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Ph48 Rubus fruticosus L. Rosaceae Ph49 Sageretia brendrethiana J.Linn. Rhamnaceae Ph50 Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz Lythraceac Ph51 Ziziphus nummularia Burm.f. Rhamnaceae Ph52 Achyranthes asperaL. Amaranthaceae He53 Adiantum caudatum Klotzsch Pteridaceae Th54 Ajuga bracteosa Wall. Lamiaceae He55 Alternanthera hirtula (Mart.) Amaranthaceae Th56 Alternanthera philoxeroides Griseb. Amaranthaceae Th57 Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Th58 Amaranthus viridis L. Amaranthaceae Th59 Anthriscus sylvestris L. Apiaceae Th60 Argemone mexicana L. Papaveraceae Th61 Artemisia absinthium L. Asteraceae Th62 Arundo donax L. Poaceae Ph63 Avena barbata Pott ex Link Poaceae Th64 Barleria cristata L. Acanthaceae He65 Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae He66 Brassica compestris L. Brassicaceae Th67 Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Th68 Celosia argentea L. Amaranthaceae Th69 Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae He70 Cichorium intybus L. Asteraceae Th71 Commelina communis L. Commelinaceae Cr

Table 2 (continued)

NO.SO

Botanical name of Plants Family name Lifeforms

72 Convolvulus arvensis L. Convolvulaceae Cr73 Conyza bonariensis L. Asteraceae Th74 Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist Asteraceae Th75 Corchorus olitorius L. Malvaceae Th76 Cynodon dactylon (L.)Pers. Poaceae He77 Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Lehm.)

BrandBoraginaceae He

78 Cyperus niveus Retz. Cyperaceae He79 Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae He80 Datura alba L. Solanaceae Th81 Debregeasia salicifolia N/A Urticaceae Ph82 Delphinium bicolor Nutt. Ranunculaceae Th83 Diclipter roxburghiana T.Anders. Acanthaceae Th84 Echinochloa colona (L.) link. Poaceae He85 Euphorbia helerophylla L. Euphorbiaceae Th86 Euphorbia helioscopia L. Euphorbiaceae Th87 Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Th88 Hybiscus caesius Garcke var caesius Malvaceae Ph89 Ipomoea hederacea Jaeq. Convolvulaceae Cr90 Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Rath Convolvulaceae Cr91 Lepidium virginicum L. Brassicaceae He92 Leucas cephalota (Roth) Spreng. Lamiaceae Th93 Malva neglecta Wallr. Malvaceae He94 Malvastrum coromandelianum L. Malvaceae He95 Marsilea villosa Kanlf. Marsileaceae Cr96 Medico denculatus L. Fabaceae He97 Melica persica Kunth Poaceae He98 Mentha longiafolia (L.) Huds. Lamiaceae He99 Mentha piperita L. Lamiaceae He100 Mirabilis jalapa L. Nyctaginaceae Th101 Nasturtium officinale W.T.Aiton Brassicaceae Th102 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae He103 Oxalis corymbosa DC. Oxalidaceae He104 Parthenium hysterophorus L. Asteraceae He105 Pastinaca sativa L. Apiaceae Th106 Pentanema indicum (L.)Ling Asteraceae Th107 Persicaria globra Willd. Polygonaceae Th108 Phegopteris connectilis (Michx.) Wall Thelypteridaceae Cr109 Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae Ph110 Polygonum aviculare L. Polygonaceae He111 Ranunculus muricatus L. Ranunculaceae He112 Rumex dentatus L. Polygonaceae He113 Salvia coccinea Buc. Lamiaceae Th114 Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Th115 Solanum pseudocapsicum L. Solanaceae Th116 Solanum surattense L. Solanaceae Th117 Solanum virginanum L. Solanaceae Th118 Sorghum vulgare L. Poaceae Th119 Triticum aestivum L. Poaceae Th120 Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae Th121 Vaccaria pyramidata Medik. Caryophyllaceae Th122 Verbascum thapsus L. Scrophulariaceae He123 Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae Ch

Ph = Phanerophyte; Ch = Chamaephytes; He = Hemicryptophytes; Cr = Crypto-phytes; Th = Therophytes.



Periploca aphylla, Gymnosporia royleana, Aerva javanica, Marrubiumsupinum, Polygonum avicular and Colebrookea opposifolia was therare shrubs recorded with low IVI in the region. The characteristicherbaceous species are Avena barbata,Melica persica, Medicogo den-culatus, Artemisia absinthium, Parthenium hysterophous, ArgemoneMexicana, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia helioscopia and Polygonumaviculare. The community has rare herb species with minimumIVI was Ajuga bracteosa, Malva neglecta, Arundo donax, Hybiscus cae-sius, Vaccaria pyramidata, Urtica dioica, Ipomoea hederacea, Ipomoeapurpurea, Physalis angulata and Solanum virginanum.

The soil analyses resulted that the community has Electricalconductivity between 0.17 and 0.23 dsm�1, Calcium carbonate


Fig. 1. The Specie area curves showing adequacy of sampling in the studied area.

Fig. 2. Cluster dendrogram classified 34 sampled stations into 4 habitat types/plant communities.


2.4 and 6.5%, Potassium 100 and 130 ppm and Phosphorus 7.3 and8.2 ppm respectively.

3.7.4. Acacia nilotica - Berberis lycium - Echinochloa colonacommunity

This community initiated at the elevation of 2485–2937 m. Thedominant tree species were Acacia modista, Ziziphus jujuba, Mallo-tus philippensis with rare species Morus nigra, Ficus carica andBroussonetia papyrifera. The characteristic shrub species of thecommunity were Indigofera heterantha and Plectranthus rugosus.While dominant species were Berberis lycium, Dodonaea viscosa,Periploca aphylla, Justicia adhatoda, Ziziphus nummularia and rarespecies included Cotoneaster dammeri, Sageretia brendrethiana, Car-issa opaca and Gymnosporia royleana. Among the characteristicherbaceous species Cynodon dactylon, Avena barbata, Euphorbiahirta, Mediocogo denculatus, Delphinium bicolor, Melica persica, Con-


yza bonariensis, Conyza Canadensis, Echinochloa colona and Solanumsurattens. Whereas Argemone mexicaca, Parthenium hysterophorous,Saliva coccinea, Chenopodium album, Leucas cephalota, Ajuga brac-teosa, Barleria cristata, Sorghum vulgare, Oxalis corniculata, and Xan-thium strumarium were recorded as rare herbs with minimum IVIin the region.

The soil analyses of this habitat show the electrical conductivitybetween 0.16 and 0.22 dsm�1, Calcium carbonate 4 and 6.4%,Potassium 100 and 130 ppm and Phosphorus 6 and 9 pp, whichplay a significant key role in distribution of plant species of presentcommunity.

3.8. Environmental gradient

The Species and environmental data matrices were put togetherin CANOCO software version 4.5. All environmental variables as


Fig. 3. Two Way Cluster dendogram showing distribution of 123 species in 306 quadrats.

Fig. 4. CCA diagram showing the species distribution under the influence of variousenvironmental variables. Spp = Species, Env Var = Environmental factors,Phosph = Phosphorus, Potas = Potassium, Elec Con = Electrical Conductivity, OrganM = Organic Matter, Text Cla = Texture Class, Graz Pr = Grazing Pressure.


biotic factors (grazing pressure) and abiotic factors (edaphic andtopographic) show significant effect on plant species composition,distribution pattern and abundance with p value (p � 0.002)(Table 1).

In ordination of various plant species each cross in the figurerepresented a plant species and the distance between them showthe similarity and differences index. All the plant species werecompared with environmental gradient and soil data throughCANOCO software. The treated environmental variables were alti-tude, aspect, grazing pressure, organic matter, phosphorous, potas-sium, pH, deep soil, silt and rocky soil. The CCA (bi-plot diagram) offirst quadrant indicated most of the plants were assembled underthe influence of CaCO3 and sandy nature of soil. While goingthrough 3rd quadrant most of the environmental variables clus-tered around phosphorous, pH, organic matter concentration,potassium, high elevation rang and clay nature of soil. Furthermoreon the 4th quadrant most of the plants are assembled under theinfluence of electrical conductivity and grazing pressure (Fig. 4).

3.9. Ordination of different stations under the influence ofenvironmental gradient

The CCA ordination bi-plot based on edaphic and topographicfactors data presents the first quadrant was preliminary relatedwith CoCO3 and sandy nature of soil (Fig. 5). The 3rd quadrantswas mainly correlated with phosphorous, pH, organic matter con-centration, potassium, high elevation rang and clay nature of soilhaving T2S2, T3S2, T4S2, T5S, T5S4, T6S2 and T6S3 (T = transect,S = station). While the 4rt quadrant show aspect of electrical con-ductivity and grazing pressure that clustered T4S1, T5S1, T5S2,T6S1 and T7S1 respectively (Fig. 5).

3.10. Discussion

The current study revealed a total of 123 plant species of theBeer Hills along Indus River belong to 46 families. The 27 tree spe-


cies (22%), 23 shrubs (19%) and 73 herbs (59%) were recorded. Thestudy area revealed the herb species were in maximum numberwith greater cover, followed by trees and shrubs. Physiographicfactors such as slope angle, different edaphic factors and altitudinalrang effect the vegetation composition and distribution pattern.Furthermore, at higher altitude vegetation layer became decreasedue to physical and biological factors that affect plant growth.The same results were reported by Haq et al. (2011) that showed


Fig. 5. CCA bi-plot diagram showing the distribution of sampled stations in relationto various environmental variables. T = Transect, S = Station, Samp = Sample, EnvVar = Environmental factors, Phosph = Phosphorus, Potas = Potassium, ElecCon = Electrical Conductivity, Organ M = Organic Matter, Text Cla = Texture Class,Graz Pr = Grazing Pressure.


the vegetation was rich at lower elevation as compared to higherelevation range. The flora of Beer Hills result Asteraceae, Lami-aceae, Moraceae, Amaranthaceae and Poaceae was the most dom-inant families of the region. Similarly Asteraceae and Lamiaceaewere proved well established and largest families in flora of Pak-istan by Ali and Qaiser (1995) and Stewart (1972). Plus in otheradjacent locations Dar et al., 2012 reported one hundred and threefamilies at Machiara national park Muzaffarabad. The dominantfamilies of the investigated area were Balsaminaceae, Ranuncu-laceae and Asclepiadaceae. While Pant and Samant (2007)described forest plant biodiversity of the Western Himalaya. Simi-lar to our results Perveen and Hussain (2007) work out on speciesdensity, cover and frequency of Gorakh hills and reported seventy-four plant species distributed in thirty-four families. Plants play avital role in economy of a country. It was used as food, fruit,medicines, forage, timber wood, fire wood, etc. (Durrani, 2000;Malik, 2005; Shinwari et al., 1996). This research project alsoresulted various plant species i.e., Medicogo denculatud, Malvaneglecta were edible species, Mentha species, Justicia adhatodaand Acacia were medicinally use, Morus species, Melia azedarachwere used as a timber and Dadonia vescosa were used as a fuelwood in the Beer Hills area. Flora of an area represents the partic-ular species of an area which are qualitatively and quantitativelyanalyzed. Floristic structure of a region was very important torelate it with environmental gradient. It depends upon biotic andabiotic factors of an environment and can be affected by deforesta-tion and over grazing particularly (Longhi et al., 1992). Similarwere also reported in present work that grazing pressure effecton plant species distribution and composition. A total of 4 plantcommunities were identified through PCORD version 5 in studyarea. (Moinuddin et al., 2006: Ahmad et al., 2016a) studied thePhyto-sociological analysis of Himalayan forests of Pakistan,described twenty-four different communities and four mono-phonic specific forests vegetation as well as labeled the speciescomposition and IVI values. While CANOCO Software version 4.5


was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographicvariables on species composition and diversity and community for-mation. Similar techniques were also applied by Khan et al.(2012b) for proper documentation of plant species. WhereasBorcard et al., 1992 performed Canonical Correspondence Analysis(CCA) by using a quantitative statistical approach to categorizeamong various variables. Brown and Bezuidenhout (2005) investi-gated National park (De mountain zebra National park, SouthAfrica) and find out fourteen communities consuming TWINSPANgrouping. The soil pH ranges from 7.2 to 7.8; organic matter con-centration from 0.52% to 0.85%, calcium carbonate amount is2.38% to 7.2%, sand concentration was 28.6% to 58.6%, Phosphorouswas 5.6 ppm to 9 ppm, potassium ranges 130 ppm to 90 ppm. Sim-ilarly (Khan et al., 2012a,b, 2014, 2016; Nazir et al., 2012; Shaheenet al., 2011; Iqbal et al., 2015; Ahmad et al., 2016a) also found outvarious plant communities in relation to environmental gradients.Furthermore, Noureen et al., 2008 investigated Cholistan desert,vegetation on the basis of environmental factors. Whereas,Yimer, 2007, defined that soil disturb the structure of the plantcommunity and ground cover, amount of plant development, capa-bility of natural regeneration and additional critical factors. Instudy area grazing pressure was observed higher at lower elevationrange of the Beer Hills. It was also reported by Pennings andSilliman (2005) that grazing pressure was high at lower elevation.Whereas, Sakya and Bania (1998) describes, elevation play animportant role in the community formation. Shank and Noorie(1950) find out that temperature and atmospheric pressure chan-ged with increasing height other factors like soil pH, soil moisture,soil nutrients and biotic factors also take part in the formation ofplant communities. Life forms of the plants were very importantto describe the vegetation structure. The plant species collectedin the study area were classified into five Raunkiaer classes. Itwas resulted that Phanerophytes was the dominant class followedby the Therophytes, Hiemicryptophytes, Cryptophytes, andChamaephytes respectively. A similar result was described byMalik and Malik (2004) in Kotli Hill Kashmir. Whereas Hadi et al.(2009) reported a phytosociological effort on weed flora in the veg-etable fields of (Botanical Garden, Azakhel in summer season 2009)which consist of 30 weed species in different vegetables fields withdominant Therophytes life form class.

4. Conclusion

It was concluded that CaCO3 contents, electrical conductivity,soil pH, organic matter concentration, phosphorous and silty nat-ure of soil were the stronger edaphic factors. While, among topo-graphic factor the elevation and aspect were the significantenvironmental variables that affect the distribution pattern, com-position and diversity of plant species and communities of BeerHills. Identification of indicator and rare plant species in the speci-fic micro-habitat can further be used for conservation managementpurposes.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation tothe Deanship of Scientific Research at king Saud University for itsfunding this Research group NO (RG-1435-014).

Appendix A.

See Appendix A.


Appendix AImportance value index (IVI) of each plant species in the studied area.

No.S

Plant name Plant name Plant name Plant name

Plant name T IVI 1 T IVI 2 Plant name T IVI 3 Plant name T IVI 4

1 Ficus benghalensis 279.9 Acacia nilotica 173.8 Mallotus philippensis 286.9 Acacia modista 68.82 Mallotus philippensis 263.2 Acacia modista 123.3 Pistacia integerrima 151.8 Ziziphus jujuba 62.23 Broussonetia papyrifera 208.2 Ziziphus jujube 96.6 Acacia modista 69.5 Mallotus philippensis 61.44 Ficus carica 181.5 Olea ferruginea 67 Ziziphus jujube 69.2 Acacia nilotica 52.35 Dalbergia sissoo 179.7 Ficus carica 32.4 Acacia nilotica 68.8 Morus nigra 24.66 Mangifera indica 165.3 Mallotus philippensis 32 Ficus carica 57.4 Ficus carica 14.37 Ziziphus jujube 129 Punica granatum 29 Morus nigra 38.8 Broussonetia papyrifera 6.28 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 125 Broussonetia papyrifera 12 Olea ferruginea 37.8 Ailanthus altissima 09 Morus alba 121.7 Melia azedarach 12 Broussonetia papyrifera 27.7 Cassia fistula 010 Acacia modista 121.4 Morus nigra 9.9 Ficus racemosa 6 Ceiba pentandra 011 Morus nigra 119.9 Dalbergia sissoo 9 Morus alba 4.6 Citrus aurantium 012 Ficus racemosa 115.5 Ailanthus altissima 0 Melia azedarach 3.8 Dalbergia sissoo 013 Populus ciliata 112.6 Cassia fistula 0 Ailanthus altissima 0 Eriobatrya japonica 014 Acacia nilotica 108.5 Ceiba pentandra 0 Cassia fistula 0 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 015 Melia azedarach 95.4 Citrus aurantium 0 Ceiba pentandra 0 Ficus benghalensis 016 Ailanthus altissima 62.1 Eriobatrya japonica 0 Citrus aurantium 0 Ficus racemosa 017 Punica granatum 58.9 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 0 Dalbergia sissoo 0 Ficus religiosa 018 Pistacia integerrima 56.4 Ficus benghalensis 0 Eriobatrya japonica 0 Juglans regia 019 Citrus aurantium 55 Ficus racemosa 0 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 0 Mangifera indica 020 Pterospermum acerifolium 34.1 Ficus religiosa 0 Ficus benghalensis 0 Melia azedarach 021 Eriobatrya japonica 30 Juglans regia 0 Ficus religiosa 0 Morus alba 022 Ceiba pentandra 29.9 Mangifera indica 0 Juglans regia 0 Olea ferruginea 023 Cassia fistula 25.6 Morus alba 0 Mangifera indica 0 Populus ciliata 024 Syzygium cumini 22.5 Populus ciliata 0 Populus ciliata 0 Pistacia integerrima 025 Juglans regia 17.3 Pistacia integerrima 0 Pterospermum acerifolium 0 Pterospermum acerifolium 026 Ficus religiosa 15.4 Pterospermum acerifolium 0 Punica granatum 0 Punica granatum 027 Olea ferruginea 14.8 Syzygium cumini 0 Syzygium cumini 0 Syzygium cumini 028 Justicia adhatoda 259.1 Dodonaea viscosa 194.15 Dodonaea viscosa 366.8 Berberis lycium 140.629 Otostegia limbata 198.7 Justicia adhatoda 190.55 Berberis lyceum 185.3 Dodonaea viscosa 133.930 Nerium oleander 179 Otostegia limbata 94.4 Otostegia limbata 162.5 Periploca aphylla 104.431 Dodonaea viscosa 174.6 Sageretia brendrethiana 85.5 Carissa opaca 117.8 Justicia adhatoda 89.532 Cotoneaster dammeri 167.7 Colebrookea opposifolia 29 Sageretia brendrethiana 93.3 Ziziphus nummularia 48.133 Marrubium supinum 161 Ziziphus nummularia 14.4 Cotoneaster dammeri 87 Cotoneaster dammeri 30.634 Colebrookea opposifolia 112.9 Marrubium supinum 13 Justicia adhatoda 72.2 Sageretia brendrethiana 26.235 Ziziphus nummularia 86.9 Gymnosporia royleana 12 Ziziphus nummularia 70.5 Otostegia limbata 2536 Woodfordia fruticosa 86.3 Cotoneaster dammeri 11.6 Periploca aphylla 58.6 Carissa opaca 1537 Gymnosporia royleana 79.3 Ricinus communis 1.4 Gymnosporia royleana 57.1 Gymnosporia royleana 13.738 Lantana camara 76.05 Calotropis procera 1.03 Aerva javanica 28.4 Aerva javanica 039 Ipomoea carnea 75.15 Aerva javanica 0 Marrubium supinum 28 Calotropis procera 040 Berberis lyceum 75 Berberis lyceum 0 Colebrookea opposifolia 17.3 Clerodendrum Philippinum 041 Clerodendrum Philippinum 62.79 Carissa opaca 0 Calotropis procera 0 Colebrookea opposifolia 042 Parthenocissus semicordata 62 Clerodendrum Philippinum 0 Clerodendrum Philippinum 0 Ipomoea carnea 043 Rubus fruticosus 53 Ipomoea carnea 0 Ipomoea carnea 0 Jasminum nudiforum 044 Carissa opaca 28.9 Jasminum nudiforum 0 Jasminum nudiforum 0 Jasminum officinale 045 Sageretia brendrethiana 23.9 Jasminum officinale 0 Jasminum officinale 0 Lantana camara 046 Jasminum nudiforum 17 Lantana camara 0 Lantana camara 0 Marrubium supinum 047 Ricinus communis 16.1 Nerium oleander 0 Nerium oleander 0 Nerium oleander 048 Jasminum officinale 14.1 Parthenocissus semicordata 0 Parthenocissus semicordata 0 Parthenocissus semicordata 049 Calotropis procera 8.75 Periploca aphylla 0 Ricinus communis 0 Ricinus communis 050 Aerva javanica 0 Rubus fruticosus 0 Rubus fruticosus 0 Rubus fruticosus 051 Periploca aphylla 0 Woodfordia fruticosa 0 Woodfordia fruticosa 0 Woodfordia fruticosa 052 Cynodon dactylon 1145 Cynodon dactylon 302 Cynodon dactylon 525 Cynodon dactylon 56053 Cannabis sativa 800 Solanum surattense 220 Avena barbata 264 Avena barbata 19854 Avena barbata 651 Parthenium hysterophorus 215 Melica persica 221 Euphorbia hirta 19055 Nasturtium officinale 646 Medicogo denculatus 203 Medicogo denculatus 202 Medicogo denculatus 16056 Parthenium hysterophorus 643 Avena barbata 187 Artemisia absinthium 190 Delphinium bicolor 14957 Euphorbia helioscopia 640 Euphorbia hirta 93 Parthenium hysterophorus 168 Melica persica 14558 Medicogo denculatus 605 Euphorbia helioscopia 74 Argemone mexicana 159 Conyza bonariensis 12559 Malva neglecta 574 Rumex dentatus 73 Euphorbia hirta 144 Conyza canadensis 11160 Euphorbia helerophylla 548 Delphinium bicolor 67 Euphorbia helioscopia 127 Echinochloa colona 9261 Rumex dentatus 434 Amaranthus viridis 64 Polygonum aviculare 121 Solanum surattense 9262 Mentha piperita 428 Ajuga bracteosa 55 Salvia coccinea 121 Polygonum aviculare 7963 Xanthium strumarium 414 Alternanthera hirtula 51 Solanum surattense 121 Hybiscus caesius 6864 Persicaria globra 385 Adiantum caudatum 46.05 Lepidium virginicum 115 Argemone mexicana 6265 Amaranthus viridis 322 Oxalis corniculata 45 Barleria cristata 113 Parthenium hysterophorus 6266 Euphorbia hirta 316 Malvastrum

coromandelianum44 Alternanthera hirtula 103 Salvia coccinea 60

67 Sorghum vulgare 316 Verbascum Thapsus 44 Xanthium strumarium 102 Chenopodium album 5968 Mentha longiafolia 300 Cyperus rotundus 43 Bidens pilosa 96 Leucas cephalota 5769 Melica persica 263 Arundo donax 36 Cannabis sativa 72 Ajuga bracteosa 5470 Celosia argentea 259 Chenopodium album 32 Conyza canadensis 71 Barleria cristata 3671 Cichorium intybus 258 Argemone mexicana 30 Conyza bonariensis 67 Sorghum vulgare 34


Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009

Appendix A (continued)

No.S

Plant name Plant name Plant name Plant name

Plant name T IVI 1 T IVI 2 Plant name T IVI 3 Plant name T IVI 4

72 Mirabilis jalapa 244 Cannabis sativa 30 Delphinium bicolor 64 Oxalis corniculata 3273 Conyza canadensis 227 Cyperus niveus 21 Amaranthus spinosus 62 Xanthium strumarium 3074 Arundo donax 220 Solanum nigrum 19 Rumex dentatus 62 Achyranthes aspera 075 Bidens pilosa 211 Malva neglecta 18 Pentanema indicum 58 Adiantum caudatum 076 Commelina communis 211 Mirabilis jalapa 18 Cichorium intybus 55 Alternanthera hirtula 077 Solanum nigrum 208 Convolvulus arvensis 16 Malvastrum

coromandelianum55 Alternanthera philoxeroides 0

78 Chenopodium album 202 Solanum pseudocapsicum 15 Leucas cephalota 49 Amaranthus spinosus 079 Ranunculus muricatus 202 Bidens pilosa 13 Chenopodium album 46 Amaranthus viridis 080 Pastinaca sativa 196 Conyza Canadensis 13 Echinochloa colona 43 Anthriscus sylvestris 081 Echinochloa colona 182 Ranunculus muricatus 8 Verbascum thapsus 39 Artemisia absinthium 082 Anthriscus sylvestris 160 Cichorium intybus 7 Ajuga bracteosa 38.08 Arundo donax 083 Lepidium virginicum 160 Achyranthes aspera 6.05 Malva neglecta 37 Bidens pilosa 084 Leucas cephalota 157 Phegopteris connectilis 6 Arundo donax 34 Brassica compestris 085 Amaranthus spinosus 155 Physalis angulata 1 Hybiscus caesius 34 Cannabis sativa 086 Malvastrum

coromandelianum153 Alternanthera philoxeroides 0 Vaccaria pyramidata 29 Celosia argentea 0

87 Verbascum thapsus 149 Amaranthus spinosus 0 Urtica dioica 10 Cichorium intybus 088 Corchorus olitorius 145 Anthriscus sylvestris 0 Ipomoea hederacea 6 Commelina communis 089 Oxalis corniculata 140 Artemisia absinthium 0 Ipomoea purpurea 6 Convolvulus arvensis 090 Solanum virginanum 130 Barleria cristata 0 Physalis angulata 1 Corchorus olitorius 091 Vaccaria pyramidata 128 Brassica compestris 0 Solanum virginanum 1 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 092 Urtica dioica 121 Celosia argentea 0 Achyranthes aspera 0 Cyperus niveus 093 Alternanthera hirtula 120 Commelina communis 0 Adiantum caudatum 0 Cyperus rotundus 094 Marsilea villosa 118 Conyza bonariensis 0 Alternanthera philoxeroides 0 Datura alba 095 Debregeasia salicifolia 110.3 Corchorus olitorius 0 Amaranthus viridis 0 Debregeasia salicifolia 096 Triticum aestivum 108 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 0 Anthriscus sylvestris 0 Diclipter roxburghiana 097 Adiantum caudatum 107.65 Datura alba 0 Brassica compestris 0 Euphorbia helerophylla 098 Convolvulus arvensis 106 Debregeasia salicifolia 0 Celosia argentea 0 Euphorbia helioscopia 099 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 103 Diclipter roxburghiana 0 Commelina communis 0 Ipomoea hederacea 0100 Pentanema indicum 100 Echinochloa colona 0 Convolvulus arvensis 0 Ipomoea purpurea 0101 Solanum pseudocapsicum 99 Euphorbia helerophylla 0 Corchorus olitorius 0 Lepidium virginicum 0102 Solanum surattense 99 Hybiscus caesius 0 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 0 Malva neglecta 0103 Ipomoea hederacea 93 Ipomoea hederacea 0 Cyperus niveus 0 Malvastrum

coromandelianum0

104 Ipomoea purpurea 93 Ipomoea purpurea 0 Cyperus rotundus 0 Marsilea villosa 0105 Ajuga bracteosa 87 Lepidium virginicum 0 Datura alba 0 Mentha longiafolia 0106 Datura alba 85 Leucas cephalota 0 Debregeasia salicifolia 0 Mentha piperita 0107 Polygonum aviculare 82 Marsilea villosa 0 Diclipter roxburghiana 0 Mirabilis jalapa 0108 Barleria cristata 80 Melica persica 0 Euphorbia helerophylla 0 Nasturtium officinale 0109 Brassica compestris 79 Mentha longiafolia 0 Marsilea villosa 0 Oxalis corymbosa 0110 Alternanthera philoxeroides 78 Mentha piperita 0 Mentha longiafolia 0 Pastinaca sativa 0111 Conyza bonariensis 76 Nasturtium officinale 0 Mentha piperita 0 Pentanema indicum 0112 Physalis angulata 72 Oxalis corymbosa 0 Mirabilis jalapa 0 Persicaria globra 0113 Hybiscus caesius 71 Pastinaca sativa 0 Nasturtium officinale 0 Phegopteris connectilis 0114 Salvia coccinea 60 Pentanema indicum 0 Oxalis corniculata 0 Physalis angulata 0115 Phegopteris connectilis 59 Persicaria globra 0 Oxalis corymbosa 0 Ranunculus muricatus 0116 Achyranthes aspera 57.83 Polygonum aviculare 0 Pastinaca sativa 0 Rumex dentatus 0117 Delphinium bicolor 57 Salvia coccinea 0 Persicaria globra 0 Solanum nigrum 0118 Diclipter roxburghiana 52 Solanum virginanum 0 Phegopteris connectilis 0 Solanum pseudocapsicum 0119 Argemone mexicana 50 Sorghum vulgare 0 Ranunculus muricatus 0 Solanum virginanum 0120 Artemisia absinthium 43 Triticum aestivum 0 Solanum nigrum 0 Triticum aestivum 0121 Oxalis corymbosa 30 Urtica dioica 0 Solanum pseudocapsicum 0 Urtica dioica 0122 Cyperus niveus 0 Vaccaria pyramidata 0 Sorghum vulgare 0 Vaccaria pyramidata 0123 Cyperus rotundus 0 Xanthium strumarium 0 Triticum aestivum 0 Verbascum thapsus 0


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Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and...

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